The Buffalo Sabres regime change is already making more moves showing a different direction for the rebuild the team is about to undergo. The team has returned rookie defenseman Nikita Zadorov to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The team may also yet return Mikhail Grigorenko to junior as well.

In sending Zadorov back now, before he has played 10 games in the NHL, the first year of his entry-level contract is preserved, meaning it will slide to next season.

Zadorov was injured for the first part of the season, which allowed the Sabres to slow play their decision on whether to keep him or not. It's not clear if the previous regime led by former general manager Darcy Regier would have done the same or not.

Even though the big Russian defenseman had played pretty well for the Sabres, going back to junior for another season isn't going to hurt him. He'll play for a very good squad in London and will be guaranteed a chance to play for the Memorial Cup as London is hosting the tournament. He'll also be available for Russia's World Junior team, which could also be good for development.

New head coach Ted Nolan shared his philosophy on how the rebuild should be going, which hinted that moves would be coming.